Deep cuts proposed for city libraries, parks

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Access to San Diego’s libraries, pools and recreation centers would be significantly reduced if city leaders follow through on proposed cuts in order to close a $70 million budget gap. In some cases, the buildings could be closed indefinitely.

The proposed reductions flow from Mayor Jerry Sanders’ request to identify cuts of roughly 24 percent in most departments as he prepares the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Department heads responded with what would be the most devastating cuts the city has seen since its financial woes began in the mid-2000s.

The possible cuts come as many city leaders, including Sanders and a City Council majority, are urging voters to approve Proposition D, a Nov. 2 ballot measure that would increase the city’s sales tax by a half-cent for the next five years. If it passes, the city is expected to collect an additional $102 million annually and the cuts wouldn’t have to go into effect. If the ballot measure fails, the city may implement the cuts by Jan. 1 in order to save money as it did last year.

Election results

Critics of Proposition D, including Councilman Carl DeMaio, say the mayor is using the proposed cuts as a tactic to get the measure approved.

“Halloween has come early in San Diego ... They’re trying to scare people into giving money,” DeMaio said. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that the ghoulish screenplay has been written by a bunch of political consultants and they’re using city staff.”

Recent days have seen the police and fire chiefs explaining how their departments would be decimated by cuts as well. They will be joining other department heads at a series of town hall meetings on the proposed cuts that will be held throughout the city.

Mayoral spokesman Darren Pudgil dismissed criticism that Sanders is using budget cuts as a campaign tool to help Proposition D pass. He said the mayor introduced last year’s cuts around the same time.

“These cuts are very real,” Pudgil said. “We have to live within our means. ... We want the public to know the extent of our financial challenges.”

Libraries are among the hardest hit under the new proposed cuts. The city would close two libraries and implement rolling brownouts for the rest. Neighboring libraries would be paired together with each closed on alternating days.

On deck to be closed indefinitely are two libraries, 12 of the city’s 13 public pools, nine recreation centers, two visitor centers and two gymnasiums. The specific sites to be shuttered were not released.

Councilwoman Donna Frye said the cuts are worse than she thought they would be given how much has already been cut from the departments in previous years.

“Now it’s down to the worst-case scenario,” she said. “We’re running out of other things to cut where it doesn’t run into the public’s ability to use their parks and services.”

Frye added, “I think people think this is some political game being played here. It’s not. It’s not a game for me. I’m really worried about it.”

Other proposed cuts include:

• Closing the Mission Trails Regional Park Campground at night.

• Reducing the hours at the remaining recreation centers from 40 to 20 per week.